He pledged his commitment to ensure the expansion of infrastructure and managing the affairs of the region in an open, honest, truthful and transparent manner.

Alhaji Alhassan in a New Year message also commended the revered chiefs and queen mothers, security agencies, religious leaders, heads of departments, organized labour and the media for playing various roles to make 2017 a meaningful year.

Alhaji Sulemana also thanked people of the region for contributing to the massive victory of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2016 General Elections saying that under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo, they would make a difference in the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.

He said the greatest moment of joy was the commencement of two of government most celebrated programmes namely, the Free Senior High School (SHS) and the Planting for Food and Jobs programmes.

“These achievements have made us to prepare the economy for a take off in 2018”, he said.

The Regional Minister said government would consider all healthy and constructive criticism aimed at improving the system and advised all against criticism that was only meant to destroy the harmony in the system.

Alhaji Alhassan expressed worry that the region has become notorious for armed robbery and other criminal activities saying the Regional Coordinating Council, through the Regional Security Council has established a Regional Security Fund to undertake various measures to deal with the concern.

He commended the regional branch of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) for being the first to contribute to the fund and appealed to others to emulate the example.